11/1/14

OF LIONS & PUBLIC OFFICIALS

I don't know what's going on down in Houston but I know
God does! I hear preaching people are going to have to submit what they
say to government scrutiny [soon the rank and file might well have to do
the same].

What's new? Is this not part of the history of faith filled believers [OT & NT]?

Should we protest this nonsense? Why not—isn't this a democracy?

Should we panic about it? Why? Didn't our now resurrected, triumphant and glorified Lord Jesus leave us an example that we should follow in his steps?

Didn't he say it should be no surprise if "the world" [corrupt
officialdom and anti-God, anti-life structures] hates his followers
since it hated him?

Didn't they stand him in front of religious and political leaders in that ugly way of scrutinizing?

Should we tell God about all that's happening? Why not—isn't that prayer?

Should we pretend we're pleased that blind leaders lead the blind
into national and cultural ditches or that in some parts of the world
brutal leaders torment those that are the salt of the earth?

Why should we?

But we can all easily recall that sly/ignorant political bosses told a man to quit praying or else and he went on praying

—as usual. Lions or no lions!

We can all easily recall that "a supreme court" ordered some fellows
to quit preaching what they were preaching and even beat them up a bit.
These believers instead of whimpering about loss of "rights" said: "The
decision to obey you or God is a no-brainer to us—it should be a
no-brainer to you also. We'll continue to preach—we can't help it."

You'll remember who they talked
to when they got back home and among their own. You'll remember how they
viewed the beating. You'll remember that they said to God: "We see your
hand in all of this and glad to participate in Jesus Christ."

I'd hate it down into my gut if authorities were tormenting my
children and dear friends but if it was because they were holding fast
to the gospel of the glorious God I'd be comforted with a comfort that
is not available to the millions who are tormented and know no gospel
that could comfort them.

God bless all those throughout the world that gospel in a costly way and in that way become the aroma of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Holy One, we pray that you empower such brothers and sisters and
give them reason to rejoice knowing what they're doing in your name for
for the untold but watching millions.

Of Fish and Tombs

by

Bert Thompson, Ph.D.

Among critics of the Bible there are few stories discussed more often
than that of Jonah and the great fish (Jonah 1:17). This account has
been ridiculed perhaps as frequently as any in the Bible. It is too
difficult, critics allege, to believe that a man could be swallowed by
such a fish, and then emerge alive and well three days later. In
reality, however, the problem with this account is not the fact that a
fish could swallow a man. While in the past it was suggested that no
fish had a gullet large enough to allow it to swallow a man, today
scientists acknowledge that the sperm whale, which inhabits the
Mediterranean Sea, is capable of swallowing an object as large as, or
larger than, a man (see Scheffer, 1969, pp. 82-87). The whale shark and
other great marine animals can do like wise. Nor is the problem a
dispute over whether a man could live for approximately 72 hours inside
such an animal. Accounts of that actually happening have been documented
(see Rimmer, 1936, pp. 188-189).
Even though fish exist with a gullet large enough to swallow a man, and
even though it has been documented that a man can live three days
inside such a fish, these matters actually are beside the point. Why so?
They are irrelevant because the text acknowledges that God’s miraculous powers
were at work in the life of Jonah. Jonah 1:17 specifically states that
God “prepared a great fish” to swallow Jonah. Jonah 2:10 notes that God
“spake unto the fish and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.” The
critics’ ridicule is directed at the account of Jonah because it is miraculous,
not because of the size of a fish’s gullet or the life span of a man
inside a fish. What we are dealing with here is a clear-cut case of
antisupernatural bias.
The real question is this: Is supernaturalism credible? If God exists,
then miracles are possible. If there was a creation by God, then
supernaturalism is credible, because God could choose to intervene in
His creation at any time. If Christ was raised from the dead, then
supernaturalism not only is possible, but proven. Ultimately, then, the
rejection of supernaturalism is the rejection of Christ. This may mean
little to the hardened atheist, or to the religious modernist who
attacks the account in Jonah as nothing more than a myth and who long
ago gave up any real belief in the deity of Christ. But what should be
the Christian’s response?
First, let us note that the account in Jonah is presented as authentic
history, detailing the conversion of multitudes of people in a real
city—the great Assyrian city of Nineveh (Jonah 3:5). Jonah is discussed
as a real prophet in 2 Kings 14:25. The entire record of Jonah was
accepted by ancient Jewish historians and commentators—all of whom were
much closer geographically and chronologically than modern-day atheists
or liberals. Second, the most compelling reason for accepting the record
of Jonah is that it was accepted by Christ Himself. Notice that in Luke
11:32 Christ commented on the fact that “the men of Nineveh...repented
at the preaching of Jonah.” With respect to the miracle of the great
fish, Jesus said: “For as Jonah was three days in the belly of the fish,
so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of
the earth” (Matthew 12:40). Thus, the Lord Himself appropriated Jonah’s
miraculous preservation and restoration as a type and prophecy of His
own death, burial, and resurrection.
This leaves the Christian with three options. (1) Jesus was mistaken,
and simply unaware of His error in regard to Jonah. Jonah really did not
spend three days in the belly of a great fish, even though Christ said
that he did. (2) Jesus lied about the matter. He knew that the events
recorded never took place, but He still employed the account “as if ” it
actually had taken place, in order to effect a comparison with His own
situation. (3) Jesus told the truth regarding the matter; the events
recorded in the book of Jonah really did occur, and as such, were used
appropriately by the Lord in reference to His own impending death and
the circumstances surrounding it.
Jonah and Jesus stand or fall together. One may not repudiate the
account of Jonah, as if it were some kind of unimportant fairy tale, and
then advocate the truthfulness of the deity of Christ at the same time.
Jesus’ testimony was that the events surrounding Jonah in his day and
time were as literal, and as historical, as the events of Jesus’ death,
burial, and resurrection would be in His. The evidence that attends the
latter attests to the fact of the former.
Were it not for the antagonism of atheism, and the compromise of
religious modernism, the story of Jonah would be accepted at face value,
just as Jesus accepted it. Those of us who respect Christ and His
testimony will acknowledge, and defend, what Christ acknowledged and
defended. To do anything less impugns the deity of our Lord, and that is
something we must not take lightly.

"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"
The Influence Of The Kingdom (5:13-16)
INTRODUCTION
1. In "The Beatitudes" (Mt 5:3-12), we saw...
a. The character of those who would be citizens of the kingdom
b. The blessedness of the citizens described
2. In the final beatitude, Jesus implied the attitude the world would
often display towards the citizens of the kingdom - Mt 5:10-12
a. The world would revile and persecute those in the kingdom
b. The world would say all kinds of evil against them falsely for
His sake
c. The world would persecute them just as it persecuted the prophets
before them
-- Thus the influence of the world upon the kingdom would often be
one of persecution
3. Jesus then proceeded to describe the opposite...
a. The influence of the kingdom upon the world
b. The impact the kingdom was designed to have upon those in the
world
[He uses two metaphors in doing so. The first, in Mt 5:13, involves the
figure of salt...]
I. "YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH"
A. SALT HAS SEVERAL CHARACTERISTICS...
1. It is white, enhances flavor, preserves, etc.
2. Based on the context, it is probably salt's ability to enhance
flavor to which Jesus refers in his illustration
a. Notice: "...but if the salt loses its flavor..."
b. Salt has the ability to give flavor to that which is
otherwise bland
c. Job mentioned this ability in Job 6:6
B. THROUGH THE METAPHOR OF "SALT"...
1. Jesus depicts the relationship of the citizens of the kingdom
to the world as one of:
a. Making the world palatable (bearable) to God, and possibly
to others as well
b. Perhaps making it possible for God to continue to bear with
this world and its "distasteful" wickedness
2. The idea that the "righteous few" can make it is easier for
God to forbear the many wicked is illustrated:
a. In Abraham's conversation with God over Sodom - Gen 18:
20-32
b. In God's dealing with Jerusalem - Jer 5:1
-- So from God's point of view, the citizens of the kingdom give
the world what good "flavor" it has!
C. JESUS WARNS AGAINST LOSING OUR FLAVORING ABILITY!
1. With pure salt...
a. It actually never loses its flavor
b. But when mixed with impurities salt can lose its ability to
enhance flavor
2. We too might lose our ability to be a "flavoring agent" for
the world...
a. By allowing "impurities" into our lives - 1Co 15:33
b. Therefore, we need to keep ourselves from sin - Ep 5:3-7
D. IF WE LOSE OUR "FLAVOR"...
1. How are we going to be "seasoned"? (impurities prevent us from
being useful)
2. We will be thrown out!
a. Is Jesus teaching the possibility of losing our salvation?
b. He certainly does elsewhere! - Mt 13:40-43; Re 3:15-16
[First of all, then, we are told of the relationship of the kingdom to
the world FROM GOD'S POINT OF VIEW: "You are the salt of the earth."
In Mt 5:14-16, we find Jesus teaching concerning those in the kingdom
as to their PRIMARY FUNCTION in the world...]
II. "YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD"
A. USED BY GOD TO TRANSMIT HIS GLORY TO THE WORLD...
1. They are "lights" in a dark world - Php 2:14-15
2. Their purpose: to proclaim the praises of God! - 1Pe 2:9;
Ep 5:8b-9
B. THEY ARE NOT A "LIGHT" IN AND OF THEMSELVES...
1. Only in the Lord - Ep 5:8a
2. Christ is the "true" or "original" light - Jn 8:12
3. Citizens of the kingdom are simply "luminaries" reflecting The
One True Light, just as the moon reflects the sun - 2Co 4:6
C. THEIR TWOFOLD RESPONSIBILITY AS "THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD"...
1. They must be visible
a. Implied by Jesus in His use of a "city" and a "lampstand"
as metaphors
b. Jesus therefore expects His followers to be seen by the
world - e.g., Jn 13:35; 17:21
2. They must radiate (give light)
a. This principle conveyed by the idea of the lamp
1) Designed to shine on a lampstand
2) Not put under a basket
b. This principle explicitly stated in "let your light SO
SHINE before men"
-- The purpose of such visible radiation: so men may glorify the
Father in heaven - e.g., 1Pe 2:11-12; 2Co 9:12-13CONCLUSION
1. The influence and impact that the citizens of the kingdom are to
have on the world can be simply stated...
a. "You are the salt of the earth"
b. "You are the light of the world"
2. Why make the effort to be salt and light? Because of He who is
described as "your Father who is in heaven"!
a. An expression which should remind us that God is both:
1) Tender (He is our "Father"; a term of tenderness)
2) Majestic (He is "in heaven")
b. Such a Majestic Being, willing to be our Father, makes Him:
1) Worthy to be pleased!
2) And worthy to be praised!
3. We who claim to be the children of God, citizens of the kingdom, are
we:
a. Pleasing to our Father (by being "the salt of the earth")?
b. Praising Him (by being "the light of the world")?
If not, then may the prayer of David in Ps 51:10-15 become our own:
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed,
O God, The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.

"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"
The Beatitudes - II (5:3-12)
INTRODUCTION
1. At the beginning of "The Sermon On The Mount," we find that section
of Scripture commonly referred to as "The Beatitudes" - Mt 3:3-12
a. The word "beatitude" means "supreme blessedness or happiness"
b. We find Jesus discussing the blessedness of those who possess
certain qualities
2. As suggested in the previously lesson, it is as though Jesus was
answering two questions people might have been asking:
a. Who will be the citizens of "the kingdom of heaven"?
b. What benefits do they receive?
3. In our previous study, we looked at the "The Beatitudes" from the
viewpoint of the question: "Who will be the citizens of the
kingdom?"
a. We saw that their character would involve eight inter-related
qualities
b. We saw that they would be poor in spirit, mourning for their
sins, meek, hungering for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart,
peacemakers, and willing to suffer persecution
4. In this study, we shall look at "The Beatitudes" from the viewpoint
of the question: "What benefits do they receive?"
a. Is the kingdom of heaven worth the effort to develop such
qualities of character?
b. Is the kingdom of heaven worth whatever persecution we might
endure?
[I believe the answer is a resounding "Yes!" This becomes apparent as
we take time to consider the blessedness of the citizens of the
kingdom...]
I. THEIR BENEFITS SUMMARIZED IN ONE WORD
A. THAT WORD IS "BLESSED"...
1. It is the first word of the sermon
a. Just as it is the first word of the Psalms - Ps 1:1
b. Just as it is found in the beginning words of Revelation
- Re 1:3
2. It is used nine times in nine verses (which is why this
section is called "The Beatitudes")
B. THIS WORD INVOLVES GREAT JOY AND GLADNESS...
1. It can literally mean, "how very happy!" is the one described
2. We can also infer this from Mt 5:12
a. "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad..."
b. Or as found in Luke: "Rejoice in that day and leap for
joy!" - Lk 6:23
[The benefit of being in the kingdom of heaven is the condition of
blessedness, a state of true happiness! To understand why, let's now
look at...]
II. THEIR BENEFITS ARE BOTH PRESENT AND FUTURE
A. "THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN"...
1. As defined in a previous lesson (cf. Mt 4:17), those who
receive the kingdom...
a. Are under the kingly rule of God
b. Are in a spiritual kingdom
1) Which today involves being in the "church," the present
manifestation of the "kingdom of heaven" - Mt 16:18;
Col 1:13; Re 1:9
2) Which will involve the "new heavens and new earth" in
the kingdom's future and eternal manifestation - Mt 25:
34; 2Pe 1:10,11; 3:13; Re 21-22
2. Note that the first (5:3) and last (5:10) beatitudes include
this expression...
a. Which I take to imply that the blessings in between
likewise apply to those in the kingdom
b. Just as the kingdom is both present and future, we shall
observe that the blessings described involve both present
and future
B. "THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED"...
1. This is in reference to those who mourn over their sins and
spiritual poverty
2. They are comforted even now - 2Co 1:3-5
3. They shall be comforted in the future - Re 21:1-4
C. "THEY SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH"...
1. In one sense, they inherit it now
a. As a result of putting the kingdom of God first - Mt 6:33;
Mk 10:29-30
b. Though they may have less than some who are wicked, God
enables them to enjoy it more! - Ec 5:19-6:2
c. This explanation seems to be consistent with the context of
Psalms 37, from which the phrase was taken - Ps 37:1-11,
16-29
2. But in another sense, there yet remains a promise concerning a
"new earth" for those in the kingdom now - 2Pe 3:10-13
D. "THEY SHALL BE FILLED"...
1. That is, with the righteousness which we so desperately need,
found only in Christ - Php 3:8-9
2. Received presently, through the precious blood of Christ
- Ro 5:9
3. Received in fullness when adorned in the white linen of
righteousness in preparation for the marriage of the Lamb
- Re 19:5-9
E. "THEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY"...
1. Those in the kingdom enjoy the forgiveness of sins now through
the blood of Jesus - Re 1:5-6
2. They shall also be shown mercy in the future by escaping the
righteous wrath of God in the Day of Judgment - Ro 5:9
F. "THEY SHALL SEE GOD"...
1. Presently, citizens of the kingdom can see God through their
Lord Jesus Christ - Jn 14:6-7
2. But in the future, we shall see him face to face - Re 21:3;
22:3-4
G. "THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF GOD"...
1. Even now we are called the sons of God - 1Jn 3:1-2
2. How much more so, in the future! - Re 21:5-7CONCLUSION
1. Perhaps we can better understand why those in "the kingdom of
heaven" are truly called "Blessed", for while...
a. Poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of heaven!
b. Mourning for their sins, they shall be comforted!
c. Meek in their relation to God and man, they shall inherit the
earth!
d. Hungering and thirsting for righteousness, they shall be filled!
e. Merciful to others, they shall obtain mercy!
f. Pure in heart, they shall see God!
g. Makers of peace, they shall be called sons of God!
h. Persecuted for righteousness' sake, theirs is the kingdom of
heaven!
2. Certainly the benefits of the kingdom outweigh anything this world
has to offer, or any persecution it might inflict!
a. For there are blessings now "in this life"
b. And there are blessings "in the age to come" - Mk 10:28-30
2. But the "blessedness" of the citizens is only for those who have the
"characteristics" of the citizens in ever-increasing measure...
a. Do we have the qualities described in "The Beatitudes"?
b. If not, do not the blessings described in "The Beatitudes"
encourage us to develop such qualities?
May this sermon of Jesus motivate us to examine our attitudes, to see
if there is not room for improvement in our relationships with both God
and our fellow man!

"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"
The Beatitudes - I (5:3-12)
INTRODUCTION
1. As we begin to take a closer look at "The Sermon On The Mount," we
notice first that section known as "The Beatitudes" - Mt 3:3-12
a. The word "beatitude" means "supreme blessedness or happiness"
b. We find Jesus discussing the blessedness of those who possess
certain qualities
2. It is as though Jesus was answering two questions people might have
been asking:
a. Who will be the citizens of "the kingdom of heaven"?
b. What benefits do they receive?
3. My treatment of this passage will be somewhat different than normal
a. Most examine each beatitude in detail before going on to the next
b. But I will look at the entire section in an overall fashion twice
1) Looking at it from two different perspectives
2) Taking two lessons to do so
4. In this lesson, let's consider "The Beatitudes" from the viewpoint
of the question:
"Who will be the citizens of the kingdom?"
[In other words, what is the character required of the citizens of the
kingdom?]
I. THEIR CHARACTER INVOLVES INTER-RELATED QUALITIES
A. THEY WILL POSSESS ALL OF THESE GRACES...
1. Only those who have all of the qualities described will truly
be citizens of the kingdom
2. For it should be evident that some may be...
a. "Poor in spirit," but do not "hunger and thirst after
righteousness"
b. "Mournful," but are not "pure in heart"
c. "Meek," but are not "peacemakers"
d. "Persecuted," but not "for righteousness' sake"
B. THESE GRACES ARE INTER-RELATED...
1. It takes all of these qualities, working in conjunction with
one another
2. In this the passage is similar to 2Pe 1:5-11
a. Where various qualities are also listed
b. Where each are needed in conjunction to one another ("add
to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge...")
3. Only then can one have "an entrance will be supplied to you
abundantly into the everlasting kingdom"
[How the qualities are inter-related becomes apparent as we consider
that...]
II. THEIR CHARACTER INCLUDES EIGHT QUALITIES
A. THEY ARE "POOR IN SPIRIT"...
1. "To be poor in spirit is to have a humble opinion of
ourselves; to be sensible that we are sinners, and have no
righteousness of our own; to be willing to be saved only by
the rich grace and mercy of God" (Barnes)
2. I.e., convicted of one's own spiritual poverty
a. Exemplified by the tax collector in Lk 18:13
b. Such people God will accept into His good favor - Isa 57:
15; 66:1-2
3. The opposite of "poor in spirit" would be "proud of heart,"
and those who are such are more like:
a. The Pharisee in Lk 18:9-14
b. The Laodiceans in Re 3:17-19
B. THEY "MOURN"...
1. But do so in a specific sense: over one's own spiritual
poverty, one' sinfulness
2. Like David did after his adultery with Bathsheba - Ps 51:3-4
3. Note the relationship between these first two characteristics
a. Unless one is first "poor in spirit"
b. They will not "mourn" over their spiritual poverty
C. THEY ARE "MEEK"...
1. This means gentle, easy to be entreated
a. They would rather suffer injury than inflict it
b. Not out of weakness, but out of humility, realizing one's
own poverty of spirit, one's own sinfulness
2. A good example of meekness is Moses
a. He was certainly not a weak or timid man - Exo 32:19-20;
30-34
b. But when personally attacked, he was very humble - Num 12:1-3
D. THEY "HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS"...
1. They look for the righteousness which will meet:
a. Their spiritual poverty
b. Their mourning over the same
2. To "hunger and thirst" suggests not a half-hearted search, but
one exemplified by:
a. David in Ps 42:1-2; 19:12-14
b. Paul in Php 3:7-15a
E. THEY ARE "MERCIFUL"...
1. Loving towards those in misery (e.g., the "Good Samaritan")
2. Possessing a forgiving spirit toward those who sin against
them (Hendricksen)
a. As Jesus had toward those crucifying Him - Lk 23:34
b. As Stephen had toward those stoning him - Ac 7:60
3. Jesus stressed this characteristic on several occasions...
a. Later in this sermon, in teaching on prayer - Mt 6:14-15
b. In His parable of "The Unforgiving Servant" - Mt 18:21-35
4. This virtue grows "out of our personal experience of the mercy
of God." (Lenski)
F. THEY ARE "PURE IN HEART"...
1. Defined as "singleness of heart, the honesty which has no
hidden motive, no selfish interest, and is true and open in
all things." (Lenski)
2. Refers to one who is sincere, honest, without hypocrisy
3. That such a quality is necessary to see God, see Ps 24:3-4
G. THEY ARE "PEACEMAKERS"...
1. They devote their lives to making peace by following the
Prince of Peace
a. Making effort to be at peace with all men - Ro 12:18-21
b. Helping others to be at peace with God by proclaiming the
gospel of peace - cf. Ro 5:1; Ep 6:15
2. "At peace with God and thus themselves filled with sweet
peace, they live in peace, if possible, with all men and work
to keep and to make peace where peace is threatened or lost.
Theirs is the work of true Christians who follow in the
footsteps of the Prince of Peace." (Lenski)
H. THEY ARE "PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS' SAKE"...
1. "The tense and voice of the verb (passive perfect) may be
regarded as permissive:
a. "Who have allowed themselves to be persecuted, or have
endured persecution"
b. "The idea is that they did not flee from it but willingly
submitted to when it came to them." (LENSKI)
2. In what way, is explained in verse 11, and includes being:
a. Reviled or reproached
b. Persecuted
c. Slandered falsely
-- All for Jesus' sake
3. That such persecution would often afflict those who are
citizens of the kingdom, see Ac 14:21-22; Php 1:29-30; 2Ti 3:12CONCLUSION
1. Such are the characteristics of those who will be citizens of the
kingdom of heaven:
a. They are poor in spirit (realizing their sinfulness)
b. Thus they mourn (for their sins)
c. Thus they are meek (gentle toward God and others)
d. Thus they hunger and thirst for righteousness (which they
desperately need)
e. Thus they are merciful (for they know they need mercy)
f. Thus they are pure in heart (seeking to please God with
singleness of heart)
g. Thus they are peacemakers (making peace with others, having found
peace with God)
h. Thus they are persecuted for the kingdom of heaven (misunderstood
by the proud and arrogant who are still in their sins)
-- Eight graces, all inter-related and working together to produce
the right kind of character
2. Such is the character of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven...
a. Involving eight graces, all inter-related
b. Working together to produce the right kind of character
3. Is the kingdom of heaven worth whatever effort might be involved in
developing this kind of character?
a. We shall see the answer to this question in our next study.
b. As we view "The Beatitudes" from the viewpoint of another
question:
"What benefits do the citizens of the kingdom receive?"
But if you are poor in spirit, mourning for your sins, hungering for
the righteousness that God provides only in Christ, what are you
waiting for? As Ananias told Saul of Tarsus:
"And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash
away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Ac 22:16)

"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"
Introduction To The Sermon On The Mount (5:1-2)
INTRODUCTION
1. In Matthew 5-7, we have recorded the most famous sermon that has
ever been preached...
a. Commonly referred to as "The Sermon On The Mount"
b. It has touched more hearts, and in turn has sparked more sermons
than any other
2. In Mt 5:1-2, the setting for the sermon is given...
a. He saw the multitudes that were following Him - Mt 4:25
b. He therefore ascended a mountain
1) Many believe this refers to a natural amphitheater between the
"Horns of Hattin", on a slope that arises above Capernaum
(Believers' Study Bible)
2) This may be the same occasion as "The Sermon On The Plain"
- cf. Lk 6:17-49
c. When His disciples came to Him, He sat down and began to speak
1) It was common to speak while sitting, rather than standing as
we do today
2) Cf. Mt 13:1-2; Jn 8:2
3. What is Jesus talking about in this sermon?
a. What is the main "THEME?"
b. What is the "CONTENT" of this sermon?
[In this study we shall introduce "The Sermon On The Mount" by seeking
to answer these two questions. To begin, let's determine...]
I. THE "THEME" OF THE SERMON
A. NOTE THE "SETTING" LEADING UP TO THE SERMON...
1. In Mt 3:1-3, we read of the preaching of John the Baptist
a. Who was sent to prepare the way of the Lord
b. The theme of his preaching concerned "the kingdom of
heaven"
2. In Mt 4, we read of the beginning of Jesus' ministry
a. After His temptation, Jesus preaches a message similar to
John's - Mt 4:17
b. His preaching in Galilee pertained to the "gospel of the
kingdom" - Mt 4:23
-- Could Jesus' theme be "the kingdom of heaven"?
B. NOTE A "PHRASE" USED THROUGHOUT THE SERMON...
1. "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" - Mt 5:3
2. "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" - Mt 5:10
3. "...shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven" - Mt 5:19
4. "...shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven" - Mt 5:19
5. "...will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" - Mt 5:20
6. "Your kingdom come" - Mt 6:10
7. "But seek first the kingdom of God" - Mt 6:33
8. ". . . shall enter the kingdom of heaven" - Mt 7:21
-- Isn't Jesus talking about "the kingdom of heaven"?
[Both the setting and His repeated use a particular phrase should lead
us to conclude that the "theme" of Jesus' sermon on the mount is:
"THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN"
With this in mind, let's briefly consider the "content" of the sermon
as I offer the following outline...]
II. THE "CONTENT" OF THE SERMON
A. THE "CITIZENS" OF THE KINGDOM...
1. Their character and blessedness - Mt 5:3-12
a. Qualities to be found in those who will be citizens of this
kingdom
b. The blessings enjoyed by these citizens
2. Their relation to the world - Mt 5:13-16
a. They are the salt of the earth
b. They are the light of the world
B. THE "RIGHTEOUSNESS" OF THE KINGDOM...
1. In contrast to the "traditional interpretations and
applications" of the Law - Mt 5:17-48
a. Jesus has not come to destroy or show disrespect to the Law
1) It will not pass away until it is fulfilled
2) Those who violate it teach contrary to it (while it
exists) will be least in the kingdom
b. Jesus does require that the righteousness of those in the
kingdom exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and
Pharisees
c. He illustrates by a series of contrasts concerning:
1) Murder and anger
2) Adultery
3) Divorce
4) The swearing of oaths
5) The taking of revenge
6) The treatment of enemies
-- In each case His teaching is consistent with the Law,
but not the traditional interpretations and applications
of the Law
2. With respect to man's relation to God - Mt 6:1-33
a. Charitable deeds
b. Prayer
c. Fasting
d. Materialism
e. Anxiety
3. With respect to man's relation to man - Mt 7:1-12
a. Judging others
b. Asking, seeking, knocking
c. The golden rule
C. THE "EXHORTATION TO ENTER" THE KINGDOM...
1. The "beginning" of the way - Mt 7:13-14
a. It will be narrow and difficult
b. Not many will find it
2. The "progress" along the way - Mt 7:15-20
a. Beware of false prophets who are wolves in sheep's clothing
b. You will know them by their fruits
3. The "end" of the way - Mt 7:21-27
a. In which "sayers" will be contrasted with "doers"
b. In which "hearers" will be contrasted with "doers"
CONCLUSION
1. In view of its content, we can appreciate why this sermon has been
called...
a. The Magna Carta of His Kingdom
b. The Manifesto of the King
2. Our next study will begin a look at the sermon in closer detail...
a. With the first of two lessons on "The Beatitudes" - Mt 5:3-12
b. In which we examine the character and blessedness of those who
are citizens of the kingdom of heaven
Have you responded to the exhortation to enter the kingdom? Remember
the words of our Lord to Nicodemus...
Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you,
unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old?
Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is
born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."
(Jn 3:3-5)
Have you been born again of water and the Spirit? - cf. Mk 16:16; Ac 2:38

Isa
21:1 The burden of the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the
South sweep through, it comes from the wilderness, from an awesome
land.

Isa
21:2 A grievous vision is declared to me. The treacherous man deals
treacherously, and the destroyer destroys. Go up, Elam; attack! I
have stopped all of Media's sighing.

Isa
21:3 Therefore my thighs are filled with anguish. Pains have taken
hold on me, like the pains of a woman in labor. I am in so much pain
that I can't hear. I so am dismayed that I can't see.

Isa
21:4 My heart flutters. Horror has frightened me. The twilight that
I desired has been turned into trembling for me.

Isa
21:5 They prepare the table. They set the watch. They eat. They
drink. Rise up, you princes, oil the shield!

Isa
21:6 For the Lord said to me, "Go, set a watchman. Let him
declare what he sees.

Isa
21:7 When he sees a troop, horsemen in pairs, a troop of donkeys, a
troop of camels, he shall listen diligently with great
attentiveness."

Isa
21:8 He cried like a lion: "Lord, I stand continually on the
watchtower in the daytime, and every night I stay at my post.

Isa
21:9 Behold, here comes a troop of men, horsemen in pairs." He
answered, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the engraved
images of her gods are broken to the ground.

Isa
21:10 You are my threshing, and the grain of my floor!" That
which I have heard from Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, I have
declared to you.

Isa
21:11 The burden of Dumah. One calls to me out of Seir, "Watchman,
what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?"

Isa
21:12 The watchman said, "The morning comes, and also the
night. If you will inquire, inquire. Come back again."

Isa
21:13 The burden on Arabia. In the forest in Arabia you will lodge,
you caravans of Dedanites.

Isa
21:14 They brought water to him who was thirsty. The inhabitants of
the land of Tema met the fugitives with their bread.

Isa
21:15 For they fled away from the swords, from the drawn sword, from
the bent bow, and from the heat of battle.

Isa
21:16 For the Lord said to me, "Within a year, as a worker
bound by contract would count it, all the glory of Kedar will fail,

Isa
21:17 and the residue of the number of the archers, the mighty men
of the children of Kedar, will be few; for Yahweh, the God of Israel,
has spoken it."

Isa
22:1 The burden of the valley of vision. What ails you now, that you
have all gone up to the housetops?

Isa
22:2 You that are full of shouting, a tumultuous city, a joyous
town; your slain are not slain with the sword, neither are they dead
in battle.

Isa
22:3 All your rulers fled away together. They were bound by the
archers. All who were found by you were bound together. They fled far
away.

Isa
22:4 Therefore I said, "Look away from me. I will weep
bitterly. Don't labor to comfort me for the destruction of the
daughter of my people.

Isa
22:5 For it is a day of confusion, and of treading down, and of
perplexity, from the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, in the valley of vision;
a breaking down of the walls, and a crying to the mountains."

Isa
22:6 Elam carried his quiver, with chariots of men and horsemen; and
Kir uncovered the shield.

Isa
22:7 It happened that your choicest valleys were full of chariots,
and the horsemen set themselves in array at the gate.

Isa
22:8 He took away the covering of Judah; and you looked in that day
to the armor in the house of the forest.

Isa
22:9 You saw the breaches of the city of David, that they were many;
and you gathered together the waters of the lower pool.

Isa
22:10 You numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and you broke down the
houses to fortify the wall.

Isa
22:11 You also made a reservoir between the two walls for the water
of the old pool. But you didn't look to him who had done this,
neither did you have respect for him who purposed it long ago.

Isa
22:12 In that day, the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, called to weeping,
and to mourning, and to baldness, and to dressing in sackcloth:

Isa
22:13 and behold, joy and gladness, killing cattle and killing
sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine: "Let us eat and drink,
for tomorrow we will die."

Isa
22:14 Yahweh of Armies revealed himself in my ears, "Surely
this iniquity will not be forgiven you until you die," says the
Lord, Yahweh of Armies.

Isa
22:15 Thus says the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, "Go, get yourself
to this treasurer, even to Shebna, who is over the house, and say,

Isa
22:16 'What are you doing here? Who has you here, that you have dug
out a tomb here?' Cutting himself out a tomb on high, chiseling a
habitation for himself in the rock!"

Isa
22:17 Behold, Yahweh will overcome you and hurl you away violently.
Yes, he will grasp you firmly.

Isa
22:18 He will surely wind you around and around, and throw you like
a ball into a large country. There you will die, and there the
chariots of your glory will be, you shame of your lord's house.

Isa
22:19 I will thrust you from your office. You will be pulled down
from your station.

Isa
22:20 It will happen in that day that I will call my servant Eliakim
the son of Hilkiah,

Isa
22:21 and I will clothe him with your robe, and strengthen him with
your belt. I will commit your government into his hand; and he will
be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of
Judah.

Isa
22:22 I will lay the key of the house of David on his shoulder. He
will open, and no one will shut. He will shut, and no one will open.

Isa
22:23 I will fasten him like a nail in a sure place. He will be for
a throne of glory to his father's house.

Isa
22:24 They will hang on him all the glory of his father's house, the
offspring and the issue, every small vessel, from the cups even to
all the pitchers.

Isa
22:25 "In that day," says Yahweh of Armies, "the nail
that was fastened in a sure place will give way. It will be cut down,
and fall. The burden that was on it will be cut off, for Yahweh has
spoken it."

Isa
23:1 The burden of Tyre. Howl, you ships of Tarshish! For it is laid
waste, so that there is no house, no entering in. From the land of
Kittim it is revealed to them.

Isa
23:2 Be still, you inhabitants of the coast, you whom the merchants
of Sidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished.

Isa
23:3 On great waters, the seed of the Shihor, the harvest of the
Nile, was her revenue. She was the market of nations.

Isa
23:4 Be ashamed, Sidon; for the sea has spoken, the stronghold of
the sea, saying, "I have not travailed, nor brought forth,
neither have I nourished young men, nor brought up virgins."

Isa
23:5 When the report comes to Egypt, they will be in anguish at the
report of Tyre.

Isa
23:8 Who has planned this against Tyre, the giver of crowns, whose
merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honorable of the
earth?

Isa
23:9 Yahweh of Armies has planned it, to stain the pride of all
glory, to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.

Isa
23:10 Pass through your land like the Nile, daughter of Tarshish.
There is no restraint any more.

Isa
23:11 He has stretched out his hand over the sea. He has shaken the
kingdoms. Yahweh has ordered the destruction of Canaan's strongholds.

Isa
23:12 He said, "You shall rejoice no more, you oppressed virgin
daughter of Sidon. Arise, pass over to Kittim. Even there you will
have no rest."

Isa
23:13 Behold, the land of the Chaldeans. This people was not. The
Assyrians founded it for those who dwell in the wilderness. They set
up their towers. They overthrew its palaces. They made it a ruin.

Isa
23:14 Howl, you ships of Tarshish, for your stronghold is laid
waste!

Isa
23:15 It will come to pass in that day that Tyre will be forgotten
seventy years, according to the days of one king. After the end of
seventy years it will be to Tyre like in the song of the prostitute.

Isa
23:16 Take a harp; go about the city, you prostitute that has been
forgotten. Make sweet melody. Sing many songs, that you may be
remembered.

Isa
23:17 It will happen after the end of seventy years that Yahweh will
visit Tyre, and she shall return to her wages, and will play the
prostitute with all the kingdoms of the world on the surface of the
earth.

Isa
23:18 Her merchandise and her wages will be holiness to Yahweh. It
will not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise will be for
those who dwell before Yahweh, to eat sufficiently, and for durable
clothing.

Isa
24:2 It will be as with the people, so with the priest; as with the
servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress;
as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the creditor, so with
the debtor; as with the taker of interest, so with the giver of
interest.

Isa
24:3 The earth will be utterly emptied and utterly laid waste; for
Yahweh has spoken this word.

Isa
24:4 The earth mourns and fades away. The world languishes and fades
away. The lofty people of the earth languish.

Isa
24:5 The earth also is polluted under its inhabitants, because they
have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, and broken the
everlasting covenant.

Isa
24:6 Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell
therein are found guilty. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are
burned, and few men left.

Isa
24:7 The new wine mourns. The vine languishes. All the merry-hearted
sigh.

Isa
24:8 The mirth of tambourines ceases. The sound of those who rejoice
ends. The joy of the harp ceases.

Isa
24:9 They will not drink wine with a song. Strong drink will be
bitter to those who drink it.

Isa
24:10 The confused city is broken down. Every house is shut up, that
no man may come in.

Isa
24:11 There is a crying in the streets because of the wine. All joy
is darkened. The mirth of the land is gone.

Isa
24:12 The city is left in desolation, and the gate is struck with
destruction.

Isa
24:13 For it will be so in the midst of the earth among the peoples,
as the shaking of an olive tree, as the gleanings when the vintage is
done.

Isa
24:14 These shall lift up their voice. They will shout for the
majesty of Yahweh. They cry aloud from the sea.

Isa
24:15 Therefore glorify Yahweh in the east, even the name of Yahweh,
the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea!

Isa
24:16 From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs.
Glory to the righteous! But I said, "I pine away! I pine away!
woe is me!" The treacherous have dealt treacherously. Yes, the
treacherous have dealt very treacherously.

Isa
24:17 Fear, the pit, and the snare, are on you who inhabitant the
earth.

Isa
24:18 It will happen that he who flees from the noise of the fear
will fall into the pit; and he who comes up out of the midst of the
pit will be taken in the snare; for the windows on high are opened,
and the foundations of the earth tremble.

Isa
24:19 The earth is utterly broken. The earth is torn apart. The
earth is shaken violently.

Isa
24:20 The earth will stagger like a drunken man, and will sway back
and forth like a hammock. Its disobedience will be heavy on it, and
it will fall and not rise again.

Isa
24:21 It shall happen in that day that Yahweh will punish the army
of the high ones on high, and the kings of the earth on the earth.

Isa
24:22 They shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in
the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison; and after many days
shall they be visited.

Isa
24:23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for
Yahweh of Armies will reign on Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem; and
before his elders will be glory.

Nov.
1

1
Timothy 1

1Ti
1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of
God our Savior, and Christ Jesus our hope;

1Ti
1:3 As I urged you when I was going into Macedonia, stay at Ephesus
that you might command certain men not to teach a different doctrine,

1Ti
1:4 neither to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which
cause disputes, rather than God's stewardship, which is in faith--

1Ti
1:5 but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a
good conscience and unfeigned faith;

1Ti
1:6 from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned
aside to vain talking;

1Ti
1:7 desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand
neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm.

1Ti
1:8 But we know that the law is good, if a man uses it lawfully,

1Ti
1:9 as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but
for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for
the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of
mothers, for manslayers,

1Ti
1:10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders,
for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the
sound doctrine;

1Ti
1:11 according to the Good News of the glory of the blessed God,
which was committed to my trust.

1Ti
1:12 And I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because
he counted me faithful, appointing me to service;

1Ti
1:13 although I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent.
However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

1Ti
1:14 The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love
which is in Christ Jesus.

1Ti
1:15 The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

1Ti
1:16 However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first,
Jesus Christ might display all his patience, for an example of those
who were going to believe in him for eternal life.

1Ti
1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone
is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

1Ti
1:18 This instruction I commit to you, my child Timothy, according
to the prophecies which led the way to you, that by them you may wage
the good warfare;

1Ti
1:19 holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust
away made a shipwreck concerning the faith;

1Ti
1:20 of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered to Satan,
that they might be taught not to blaspheme.